Lesley Gore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lesley Gore
Gore in 1964
Born	Lesley Sue Goldstein (1946-05-02)May 2, 1946 New York City, U.S.
Died	February 16, 2015(2015-02-16) (aged 68) New York City, U.S.
Education	Sarah Lawrence College
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress activist
Years active	1963–2014
Notable work	"It's My Party"
Relatives	Michael Gore (brother) Alan Dean Foster (cousin) Howie Horwitz (uncle)
Musical career
Genres	Pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Mercury MoWest A&M

Lesley Gore was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born Lesley Sue Goldstein on May 2, 1946, in New York City. She became famous at a young age.

When she was just 16, Lesley Gore recorded the huge pop hit "It's My Party". This song became number one in the U.S. in 1963. She then had ten more songs that made it into the top 40, including "Judy's Turn to Cry" and "You Don't Own Me".

Later in her career, Gore also worked as an actress. She wrote songs with her brother, Michael Gore. One of their songs, "Out Here on My Own," was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1980 movie Fame. She also hosted a TV show called In the Life in the 2000s, which talked about important issues of equality and acceptance.

Early Life and Education

Lesley Gore was born in Brooklyn, New York City. Her family was Jewish and middle-class. Her father, Leo Goldstein, owned a company that made children's swimwear.

Lesley grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. She went to the Dwight School for Girls. Later, she studied English and American literature at Sarah Lawrence College. She graduated from college in 1968.

Music Career

Early Success (1963–1979)

Lesley Gore was still in high school when she recorded "It's My Party" in 1963. She worked with famous producer Quincy Jones. The song quickly became a number-one hit across the country. It was so popular that it sold over a million copies.

After "It's My Party," Gore had many other successful songs. These included "Judy's Turn to Cry" (number five in the U.S.) and "She's a Fool" (also number five). Her song "You Don't Own Me" was a huge hit. It stayed at number two for three weeks, right behind the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand". This song became an anthem for many young women.

Other popular songs included "That's the Way Boys Are" and "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows". She sang "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" in the 1965 movie Ski Party. She also appeared in another film, The Girls on the Beach, where she sang three songs.

In 1964, Lesley Gore was a featured performer in the concert film T.A.M.I. Show. She performed six songs, including her biggest hits.

Gore also appeared on the Batman TV series in 1967. She played a character named Pussycat. She sang "California Nights" on the show, which became another top-20 hit for her. She also performed on The Donna Reed Show in 1966.

After her contract with Mercury Records ended, Gore signed with other labels. She continued to release music, but these songs did not become as popular.

Later Career as a Composer (1980–2014)

Lesley Gore started focusing more on songwriting in the 1980s. She wrote songs for the movie Fame with her brother Michael. Their song "Out Here on My Own" was nominated for an Academy Award.

In 1996, Gore co-wrote "My Secret Love" for the film Grace of My Heart. The movie featured a character partly inspired by Lesley Gore.

In 2005, Gore released Ever Since. This was her first album of new songs in almost 30 years. Critics praised the album. It included a new version of "You Don't Own Me." Gore said this song took on new meaning each time she sang it.

Personal Life and Activism

Lesley Gore was an activist for equality. Starting in 2003, she hosted several episodes of the PBS TV series In the Life. This show focused on issues of fairness and acceptance for all people.

Gore was working on a book about her life and a Broadway show when she passed away. She died on February 16, 2015, at the age of 68. The cause of her death was lung cancer.

Her obituary in The New York Times said that with songs like "It's My Party" and "You Don't Own Me," Lesley Gore became the voice for teenage girls. Her songs showed feelings from sadness to strong self-confidence.

Awards and Recognition

In 1964, Lesley Gore's song "It's My Party" was nominated for a Grammy Award. This was for the best rock-and-roll recording.

National Public Radio recognized Gore's second album, Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts. They called her a pioneer for showing female strength in pop music.

Lesley Gore's personal papers and music were given to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. They became available to the public in 2022. These papers include family photos, lyrics, and recordings.

Discography

• I'll Cry If I Want To (1963)
• Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (1963)
• Boys, Boys, Boys (1964)
• Girl Talk (1964)
• My Town, My Guy & Me (1965)
• Lesley Gore Sings All About Love (1966)
• California Nights (1967)
• Someplace Else Now (1972)
• Love Me By Name (1976)
• The Canvas Can Do Miracles (1982)
• Ever Since (2005)
• Magic Colors: The Lost Album (2011)

Filmography

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

Images for kids

• 

  Lesley Gore in 1964

See also

In Spanish: Lesley Gore para niños